Coronavirus

We know there is much concern regarding the spread of Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The Dixon Family YMCA takes the importance of maintaining an environment that minimizes the spread of infectious disease very seriously. We want to share with you information about the steps we are taking to keep our members, program participants, and guests safe.

We urge you to remember inclusion. Unfortunately, at this time, many of our Asian communities are facing stigmatization due to the coronavirus. To help our community members feel safe and welcome during this time, please remember to share facts, not fear.

As we have updates to share, we will post details on this page.

Updated 3/16/2020

Dear YMCA and Community Members,

The past several days have been interesting and trying times for all of us. We are navigating new territory and making tough decisions for our members, staff, and community.

Per recommendation of the YMCA of the USA, local officials, and Lee County Health Department and with the support of our Board of Directors, we are closing the Dixon Family YMCA beginning at 9 p.m. Monday, March 16th and reopening March 31 to align with the Governor’s mandate to close all K-12 schools in the state.

We know there is an increased demand for our first responders, medical providers, Federal, and government, and critical care workers as they work to keep us all safe and healthy. The Y will transition its facility to serve the children of these families from preschool ages through sixth grade. Care will be available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A separate message will go to families who are already enrolled in these services immediately.

This decision was not arrived at lightly. Since we are one of the largest gathering places in our community, we felt it would be socially irresponsible to remain open and facilitate the gathering of large groups of people. We will continue to monitor the situation and respond accordingly.

During the next two weeks, we will take advantage of the time to do several things:

Thoroughly clean our facilities and equipment.

Support other community organizations to address access to critical services.

MAINTAINING YOUR HEALTH

If you would like some help to remain fit at home during this crisis, we are excited to announce free access to Y360, which is a collaborative effort from several YMCAs across the country. You can access free fitness classes on YouTube taught by Y instructors. Classes include yoga, boot camp, barre, and active older adults. Click here to access Y360.

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT STATUS

The YMCA is a nonprofit organization that relies on your membership to provide services in our community. The pandemic will no doubt have a financial impact on many in our community, including the Y. We are willing to put your membership on hold by request for 30 days. However, if you are willing and able to keep your membership active, we are asking for your consideration in doing so.

PROGRAM ENROLLMENT STATUS

In addition to the above statement regarding your membership status, we will also credit all accounts a prorated amount for the two-week period the YMCA is shutdown. Spring Soccer will continue as planned, but a slight delay in the start will happen to accommodate these schedule changes.

If you have any questions during this time or would like to request a change in your membership, please feel free to reach out to our call center between the hours of 9:00am-4:00pm Monday-Friday, and our staff can assist you. Our call center number is 815-288-9622.

We appreciate your understanding and support during this unusual time as we do our best to do our part. We will continue to communicate with you via email, social media, our website.

Sincerely,

Andrew McFarlane, CEO, Dixon Family YMCA

YMCA COVID-19 Update

March 14, 2020

Dear Community Members,

I wanted to share with you what we are immediately doing to keep our Y members, participants, and the Dixon Community and Lee County as safe as possible from the impact of the Covid-19 and addressing the new announcements from Governor Pritzker’s news conference this past Friday.

Y’s all over our state are currently evaluating the necessary services and adjustments to be made to address community needs. The DIXON FAMILY YMCA is following an abundance of cautionary policies that supports our public official’s emergency needs and the guidelines set by their local health departments and the CDC.

Please be assured the DIXON FAMILY YMCA is in constant contact with the County and City Officials, CDC, and Y-USA for guidance and directions and is following all policy directions and guidelines.

Below are the immediate changes taking place, and should any new information come to our attention, we will act accordingly. We are also developing contingency plans for various scenarios to put into place. Also, IF you think you may have any sickness, we urge you not to come to the Y.

In accordance with the CDCs recommendation on social distancing and Governor Pritzker’s announcement as of 3/14/2020, the Y will be postponing the following gatherings/activities/services:

As of Monday, March 16, youth under the age of eighteen will not have access to the building unless currently enrolled in a Y program (i.e., childcare, our school’s out program, and swim lessons). If you have the means to keep your child home, we urge you to make that decision.

Youth under the age of 18 are restricted between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Due to school being out, the intent of the school closures is to limit contact with large groups.

Babysitting Services will be suspended until Monday, March 30, 2020

Youth Sports Biddy Ball Games and Practices will be postponed, and a decision will be made on rescheduling games by no later than March 18, 2020

Beginning Monday, March 16, no guests will be allowed, and no day passes will be sold through March 30, 2020.

One such positive statement is regarding the use of the pool and whirlpool “The CDC has released guidance on COVID-19 and water transmission, including information on recreational water transmission. Specifically, the CDC guidance states:

“There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.” The Y has increased the chlorine levels in our pool for further safety. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html

We are also taking additional precautions to keep our facility sanitized and as safe as possible for use:

Our cleaning company has already been using industrial cleansers for the last year throughout our entire facility, and they have redoubled their efforts.

The Y has increased cleanings throughout the day and have specific mid-day sanitations.

The Y has increased sanitizing touch areas and all handles, water fountains, desks, etc.

The DIXON FAMILY YMCA has made sure we have wipes/sanitizer/cleaners accessible at all times in all rooms.

Mats, medicine balls & yoga blankets will not be available for use, for the time being, so we askall members to bring their own mat or towel for use in these classes.

Social distancing will be encouraged and facilitated in facilities and classes by staff on duty.

If you are in a high-risk category, please stay home.

The Y will continue to coordinate further potential modification of other activities or facility usage in coordination with the City of Dixon, Health Department, and CDC on an as-needed basis.

Andrew McFarlane,CEO Dixon Family YMCA

A message from Dixon Family YMCA regarding COVID-19, Dated 3/11/2020

Dear Y Community,

The health and safety of Y members is our top priority, and we are reaching out with an update on the coronavirus disease (also referred to as COVID-19). The Dixon Family YMCA is actively monitoring the news and advisories concerning the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that our industry is considered a low risk category and should take the same basic precautions to prevent the spread of the virus as the common cold.

As a reminder, it is always good practice for members, parents, and children, regardless of exposure risks, to adhere to the following preventative measures year round:

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content when soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Please stay home, or keep your child home if he/she is sick until at least 24 hours after any signs of a fever have gone (without the use of fever-reducing medications) or with the clearance from a healthcare provider.

Consult your healthcare provider if you are concerned for your child or family member who is showing symptoms of an illness.

If sick, restrict activities outside your home as much as possible. If you must leave home, cover your nose and mouth with a mask or cloth.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

At the YMCA, the safety and wellness of our members and participants is very important to us. We are constantly monitoring this evolving situation and following the guidelines of the CDC in all of our locations and work spaces to keep our members and staff safe. This includes:

Increased frequency of disinfecting “high touch” areas

Ensuring there are ample hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes throughout our facilities for your use. Your partnership in this effort is welcome, and your continued use of the sanitizing wipes that are provided to wipe down all equipment — mats, benches, free weights, cardio and strength machines, etc. — before and after you use them, is essential.

Disinfecting supplies and toys daily.

Regularly refining and updating plans in place for various situations and circumstances regarding the spread of the virus as new information becomes available, and learning as much as we can in order to make informed decisions.

As the news media continues to report on the spread of the novel coronavirus in the United States, I want to assure you that our intent in sharing this at the Dixon Family YMCA is to provide current and accurate information about the situation, and to offer pragmatic steps we all can take to keep our ourselves, children, and members healthy and safe. In the meantime, please be assured that we continue to enforce stringent hygiene and sanitation standards at all of our service sites and remain committed as ever to the well-being of the families we serve.

Also, please be reminded that the virus is not distinguishable by race or nationality. Creating any kind of stigma around those who have contracted the disease is not only discriminatory but it is also likely to discourage early reporting and hinder efforts to limit its spread.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Member Services.

Thank you,

Andrew McFarlane, CEO

Dixon Family YMCA

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